(KNSI) – More than two dozen kids with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Minnesota were awarded skateboards for reading.
A total of 25 Boys and Girls Club youth across the three Clubs in St. Cloud earned their skateboards and helmets through their consistent participation in Summer Brain Gain, a program designed to prevent summer learning loss in youth.
Kids earn points for their skateboards by reading independently or aloud to younger members.
The project was sponsored by Skate Unity and CentraCare Neurosciences’ Project BrainSafe.
The donation was the culmination of a fundraising project that Mike Thienes started planning in December 2019.
Thienes of RubinskiWorks organized Skate Unity in partnership with The Youth Shelter Supply and Bad Habit Brewing Company.
Skate Unity is an art show and auction initially scheduled in 2020, but COVID closures forced a reschedule of this event to February 24, 2021.
The was to raise enough money to purchase 25 complete skateboards for Boys & Girls Club youth.
CentraCare’s Project BrainSafe contributed 25 helmets to ensure youth safety whenever they are on their boards.
About Skate Unity
Skate Unity started in 2003 to raise awareness and money for a skatepark in St. Cloud.
After getting the skatepark in 2008-2009, the organization kept the event going, raising money to help kids skateboarding, funding Skate Camps at the park, and giving to youth groups in the area.